Minister

'Etuate Lavulavu was found guilty on three counts of conspiracy to commit bribery on three separate occasions in his 2014 election campaign on Vava'u.

In his judgement, Chief Justice Owen Paulsen said Lavulavu had given cash gifts to three different groups ahead of the election, in clear breach of electoral laws.

Radio Tonga reports that Chief Justice Owen Paulsen said that Lavulavu had overspent beyond the legal requirements during his 2014 election campaign on Vava'u.

The prosecution said that Lavulavu had personally carried out road construction as part of his campaign, while giving money to people on the day of the election to induce votes.